| SADDLE UP! THE WILD WEST COMES TO SPHS THE SOUTH PASADENA HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA DEPARTMENT PRESENTS THE HILARIOUS WESTERN SATIRE, RIO HONDONOV. 6–15 |
SOUTH PASADENA, CA – October 23, 2026 – Dust off your cowboy boots because SPHS Drama is rolling into town with Rio Hondo, a laugh-out-loud comedy and loving satire of the classic American Western written by acclaimed playwright Bill Robens.
Set against the chaotic backdrop of the Wild West, Rio Hondo embraces every Western cliché in the book, from brooding strangers with haunted pasts to greedy railroad men and showdowns at high noon. The side-splitting play follows Bert, a lone stranger who rides into a frontier town only to spark a rivalry with an old nemesis, rekindle a romance, and get dragged into fight after fight.
"Rio Hondo is fast-paced, incredibly witty, and has been such a blast to rehearse," says Director Nick Hoffa. "We’ve got live music and sound effects, great costumes, a bunch of romances, and a cast of incredibly committed young actors. You’ll have a blast." Whether you are a die-hard fan of classic Westerns or just looking for an evening of nonstop laughter, Rio Hondo promises a good time.
CONTENT MESSAGE: Rio Hondo is fun and silly, but has some sexual innuendo and a LOT of gunfighting.
General admission is $15. Tickets may be purchased online at https://www.southpasdrama.com/ and at the door. Seating capacity is limited, so advance purchases are recommended. Rio Hondo was written by Bill Robens, directed by Nick Hoffa, with technical direction by James Jontz. It will be performed five times: Nov. 6, 7, 13, 14 at 7:00 PM with a 2:00 PM matinee on Nov. 15. South Pasadena High School, Little Theater, 1401 Fremont Avenue, South Pasadena, CA.